Guides · Running the work
What to ask before the first dog walk
The short answer
Ask about the dog, the home, and the people, in that order. Write the answers down the same day. Most problems on a first walk come from a question nobody asked, not from a dog nobody could handle.
Key points
- Ask about the dog, the home, and the people, in that order.
- Ask what has gone wrong before. Owners will tell you, but usually only if you ask plainly.
- Test the door, the lock and the key once while the owner is standing there.
- Get the vet name and number, and who decides if the owner does not pick up.
- Write it all down the same day, somewhere you can read on your phone at the door.
Start with the dog
Ask what the dog is like on a leash. Ask what he does when he sees another dog, a bike, or a person he does not know. Ask what he is afraid of.
Then ask the question people forget: what has gone wrong before? Owners will tell you, but usually only if you ask plainly.
Then the home
You need to get in and out on your own. Ask how the door works. Ask about the lock, the alarm, and where the leash lives. Ask if anyone else may be home.
Try it once while the owner is standing there. A key that sticks is a small problem at the meet and greet and a big one at seven in the morning.
Then the people
Ask who to call if something happens, and who can make a decision if the owner does not pick up. Ask for the vet name and the vet phone number. Write them down even if you never use them.
The whole conversation on one page
| Area | What to ask | Why it saves you a call later |
|---|---|---|
| The dog | What is he like on a leash? What does he do when he sees another dog, a bike, or a person he does not know? What is he afraid of? What has gone wrong before? | Owners will tell you, but usually only if you ask plainly. |
| The home | How does the door work? What about the lock, the alarm, and where does the leash live? Might anyone else be home? | You have to get in and out on your own, so try it once while they are there. |
| The people | Who do I call if something happens? Who can make a decision if you do not pick up? What is the vet name and the vet phone number? | Write them down even if you never use them. |
Write it down the same day
You will remember all of it today. You will remember half of it next week, and you will have three more clients by then.
Keep it somewhere you can read on your phone at the door, not in a notebook at home. Gate codes and alarm codes should be kept somewhere private, not in a note anyone can see over your shoulder.
Read next
- Writing a dog walking cancellation policy is the other thing to cover in this same conversation, before it costs you a visit.
- How to get your first 10 dog walking clients is how you get to the meeting in the first place.
Common questions
How long should a meet and greet take?
About twenty minutes. Long enough to meet the dog, see how the leash and the door work, and write down what you learn. Longer than that and you are working for free.
Should I charge for a meet and greet?
Most walkers do not charge for the first one. It is how you decide whether to take the job, and the client is deciding the same thing about you.